NOW
Help your neighbors and clean out your pantry! Join NBC Palm Springs, Sunline Transit, and Eagle 106.9 for 'Pantry to the People' food drive today from 7am to 7pm at the Albertsons stores in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.
Clear skies this evening with overnight lows in the lower-50s, followed by lots of sunshine and highs in the lower-80s for Friday...
Indian Canyon Drive is nowopenat the wash.Gene Autry Trail & Vista Chino are both nowopenat the wash.

Local & Community

Daughter of Purepecha, Mexican tribe earns full ride to Harvard

Elizabeth Esteban’s mother’s first language is the Purepecha dialect from Michoacan, Mexico, she is expressing how proud she is of her daughter for being accepted to Harvard on a full ride scholarship.

“Well I felt proud and excited, every sort of emotion because I never would have believed that a person like me, would be accepted to a prestigious university,” said Esteban.

Elizabeth lives in a mobile home in Mecca, and her parents are two of hundreds of members of the indigenous tribe who migrated to the far eastern Coachella Valley for a better life.

“Waking up early every morning and working hard in the fields is worth it. Now it’s even more worth it, because my daughter has accomplished what she has dreamt about. I am so proud, said Elizabeth’s mother, Cecilia Esteban.

However, it almost didn’t happen, Elizabeth says she was plagued with internet issues in Mecca that made it hard to learn virtually. She almost lost her chance at Harvard altogether when her internet gave out during her interview with the university. 

“I also received an internet device from the district and most of the time my screen was a circle just trying to reconnect,” said Esteban.

Elizabeth says she was so discouraged she even considered not applying to Harvard at all because she is latina and from an underserved community. 

Harvard’s acceptance rate is 3 percent, and only 10 percent of the student population is hispanic. 

Esteban said, “I’m part of an indigenous group that feels that women should stay at home and be the stereotypical stay at home mother, later on in the future. I just wanted to break those barriers.”

Elizabeth is setting her sights high from being the guest of a congressman in Washington D.C. to maybe one day running for congress herself.

By: NBC Palm Springs

April 19, 2021

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Coachella Valley Firebirds
Palm Springs Nissan GM Urges Buyers to Act Fast as Tariffs Drive Up Vehicle Prices

Palm Springs Nissan GM Urges Buyers to Act Fast as Tariffs Drive Up Vehicle Prices

Majid Mansour, general manager of Palm Springs Nissan, warns that new tariffs could add between $5,000 and $15,000 to foreign-made vehicles and $3,000 to $8,000 to U.S.-assembled cars relying on imported parts. With current inventory remaining tariff-free, Mansour advises consumers to make their purchases sooner rather than later.

7 hours ago • Brett Rosen

Military Family Day Brings Joy and Connection at Sunnylands Center & Gardens

Military Family Day Brings Joy and Connection at Sunnylands Center & Gardens

Dozens of military families gathered at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage for a special Family Day celebration honoring Military Child Month. Co-hosted by Blue Star Families, the event provided a day of activities, community connection, and recognition of the sacrifices made by military families.

9 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Free Spay and Neuter Clinics Offered in Mecca and Thermal This Weekend

Free Spay and Neuter Clinics Offered in Mecca and Thermal This Weekend

Riverside County Department of Animal Services is hosting free spay and neuter clinics this weekend in the Mecca and Thermal areas. The clinics, held at Mecca Sports Park on Friday and at the Jerry Rummens Community Center on Saturday, are available for animals under 20 pounds, with a limit of two appointments per household and exclusions for flat-faced breeds.

10 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Plaza Theater Restoration Update: Funding Secured, On-Track for December 1 Opening

Plaza Theater Restoration Update: Funding Secured, On-Track for December 1 Opening

The historic Plaza Theater in downtown Palm Springs, under restoration since March of last year, has encountered additional funding needs due to necessary code compliance and safety upgrades. With $2.8 million in funding now approved from the city's deferred maintenance internal service fund, the project remains on schedule for a December 1 opening, with further fundraising efforts underway by the Plaza Theater Foundation.

11 hours ago • Tiani Jadulang

Riverside County Reports First Measles Case Since 2018, Warns of International Travel Risk

Riverside County Reports First Measles Case Since 2018, Warns of International Travel Risk

Riverside County has confirmed its first measles case since 2018, affecting an adult with a recent history of international travel.

11 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Pantry To The People Food Drive

Pantry To The People Food Drive

We've teamed up with Sunline Transit Agency to help give back to Find Food Bank and the Community Food Bank in Palm Springs. Here's how you can help.

12 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Tech Partnership Opens New Job Opportunities in Palm Springs School Transportation

Tech Partnership Opens New Job Opportunities in Palm Springs School Transportation

A recent collaboration between Palm Springs Unified School District and tech transportation firm Zum has led to the creation of several new job roles. Zoom is recruiting experienced drivers for positions including school bus drivers, attendants, non-commercial drivers, and licensed van drivers. The company offers a five- to six-week training course to ensure applicants meet safety and operational standards, while leveraging AI technology to streamline transportation routes.

12 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Pantry to the People: Community Unites to Tackle Food Insecurity

Pantry to the People: Community Unites to Tackle Food Insecurity

NBC Palm Springs and Sunline Transit Agency are teaming up for Pantry to the People, an annual food drive at Albertsons locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the event helps seasonal residents clear out their pantries and donates quality groceries to local food banks, supporting hundreds in need.

12 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Our Pet Of The Week Is Silky Smooth: Meet Velvet!

Our Pet Of The Week Is Silky Smooth: Meet Velvet!

Valerie Kattz with Animal Samaritans dropped by the studio this morning with the adorable and well-mannered Velvet

12 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Mecca Fire 92% Contained; Evacuations Lifted

Mecca Fire 92% Contained; Evacuations Lifted

A fire that ignited near Lincoln Street and 67th Avenue in Mecca yesterday at 11 a.m. has reached 92% containment, burning approximately 13 acres. Temporary evacuation orders have now been lifted as firefighters complete their efforts.

12 hours ago • NBC Palm Springs

Weather Near You And Where You're Going

Cathedral City
Weather Icon

5mph

Sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Temperature Icon69°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon25%

Humidity

Rain Icon4%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

Coachella
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5mph

Sunny, with a high near 72. South wind around 5 mph.

Temperature Icon71°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon23%

Humidity

Rain Icon3%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

Desert Hot Springs
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15mph

Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Temperature Icon66°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon30%

Humidity

Rain Icon5%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

Indian Wells
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5mph

Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Temperature Icon71°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon24%

Humidity

Rain Icon4%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

Indio
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5mph

Sunny, with a high near 72. South wind around 5 mph.

Temperature Icon71°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon24%

Humidity

Rain Icon3%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

La Quinta
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5mph

Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 0 to 5 mph.

Temperature Icon70°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon24%

Humidity

Rain Icon4%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

Palm Desert
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5mph

Sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Temperature Icon69°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon25%

Humidity

Rain Icon4%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

Palm Springs
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10mph

Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Temperature Icon70°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon26%

Humidity

Rain Icon8%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI

Rancho Mirage
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5mph

Sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Temperature Icon70°F

Temp

Pollen Icon46

AQI

Humidity Icon25%

Humidity

Rain Icon4%

Rain

UV Index Icon6

UVI